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The Indiana Daily Student

New IMU mobile app to help students navigate union

In an effort to engage students and Biddle Hotel guests, the Indiana Memorial Union created a free guidebook-style app to assist those at the IMU.

“We felt utilizing an app on their smart device would be the most useful method for our visitors,” Michael Campbell, IMU hotel manager, said in an email.

Rob Meyer, IMU assistant director for activities and events, said the IMU app makes accessing information easier for students using 
mobile phones and tablets.

In addition to easy access, there are multiple other features to the app that may be useful to students and guests.

“There is an event calendar that lists all Union Board- and IMU-sponsored events,” Cheryl Crouch, IMU marketing director, said in an email. “It also provides a list of all the services in the building with times and a map feature to show the location of the building. The transportation icon, which links students to DoubleMap so they can see when buses are headed to the IMU.”

Another feature is the study lounges icon because the Union is a place for students to take a quick power nap on a couch in between classes or cram last minute for an exam.

According to the IMU website, the IMU is one of the largest student unions in the world, with many rooms and study lounges. Directions to all four lounges are included, as well as a picture of each lounge.

“It is so large and has so many levels that it’s confusing to navigate, so the app has a map feature,” Campbell said.

Initially, the app was used with the hotel.

“Cheryl Crouch, our marketing director, had used this app platform to engage conference attendees, and we felt we could adapt it to engage students and visitors,” Campbell said.

Campbell said many guests are first-time visitors to IU and Bloomington.

“We wanted a tool that would be available for directions, dining, what to do while they are here and how they might get there,” Campbell said.

Crouch said while the response to the app has been positive, they are working to spread the word around 
campus.

“We are planning some special promotions in the near future to get more people to download it,” Crouch said.

Crouch added that they will do a big promotional push during summer 
orientation next year.

To download the guidebook app, go to the app store of any Apple or Android device and search “Indiana 
Memorial Union.”

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